MAN City will be buzzing after their midweek march into the Champions League semi-finals but will they get the better of Chelsea on Saturday? Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) offers his view.
Chelsea v Manchester City | Saturday 17:30 | Sky Sports 1
An historic week for Manchester City as they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. It's a far far cry from the days at the turn of the century when they were based in the third tier.
Their aggregate win proved that on their day they should be too strong for any side in England. It also proved that they've rarely been on their day this season.
Will they be on their day on Saturday? I'm willing to chance that they aren't. Tuesday's win must have stretched the players emotionally and physically and with the home side as big as 9/5 I'm willing to side with them.
Chelsea's long unbeaten league run came to an end last week when they were beating by a dangerous Swansea side but it would be folly to dismiss them here.
Since Jose Mourinho left the club the week before Christmas the Blues have gone P16 W7 D8 L1. Despite just one defeat they still find themselves down in 10th place and that's simply to do with the vast number of draws they've accumulated.
The last time they lost at Stamford Bridge in the league was the opening week of December against Bournemouth but draws have been far too frequent with six in the last seven.
Man City recorded back to back Premier League wins last week for the first time in six months so is it a sign that things have finally clicked? Not for me. Things have hardly changed personnel-wise. They just managed to line up two games in a row against bottom half sides.
As is well reported City have a poor record against the top sides in the league and although they ripped Chelsea apart in the opening weeks of the season they look a better unit now.
The menace that is Diego Costa returns this weekend too and that's another reason to believe the Chelsea price looks too big. Since Guus Hiddink took charge they've beaten Arsenal and Southampton and drawn with Manchester United. It's decent form.
It's been six years since Man City won at Stamford Bride and I'm willing to invest on that run continuing here. I'll back Chelsea Draw No Bet at a shade of odds against with 888 Bet.
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Chelsea v Manchester City – Chelsea Draw No Bet (42/41 888 Bet)
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